Insight & Intelligence Project Officer (18 Months FTC)

About Barnet Council

Barnet is a borough with much to be proud of. Our excellent schools, vibrant town centres, vast green spaces and diverse communities all help make it a great place to live and work. As a council we want to build on these strengths as we move into the future. We are growing and developing as an organisation to meet the challenges facing our borough and we are committed to working with partner organisations and residents to make Barnet even better. As an organisation, our staff are committed to Our Values: Learning to Improve, Caring, Inclusive, Collaborative – which drive everything we do.

About the role

This is an exciting time to join Barnet as we grow our Digital, Data and Technology (DDaT) capabilities and accelerate our digital transformation journey. We’re investing in smarter services, better use of data, modern technology, and you’ll play a key part in shaping this future. We’re looking for a Project Officer to join our Insight & Intelligence Hub, working with a talented team to help plan, coordinate and oversee a diverse portfolio of high‑profile data and insight projects that drive improvements in data quality, accessibility and analytical capability. You’ll support effective project governance, maintain project documentation and provide clear, timely updates that help senior leaders make informed decisions. This role is ideal for a motivated, organised and curious individual looking to develop strong project management skills while contributing to meaningful transformation work that improves outcomes for Barnet residents. This is a hybrid role. You will be expected to attend monthly in‑person team days in our Colindale office. We also come into the office to meet service stakeholders, work together on collaboration, discovery and user testing sessions and department days.

About you

You’re someone who enjoys bringing structure and clarity to complex work. You’re comfortable managing competing priorities, asking the right questions and supporting teams to deliver projects that make a real difference. You will bring:

• A solid understanding of project management principles, governance and documentation (e.g. RAID logs, business cases, project plans).
• Experience supporting or coordinating projects—ideally within digital, data or technology environments, though this isn’t essential.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a varied and fast‑paced workload.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
• The ability to analyse and interpret information quickly and present it in a clear, engaging way.
• A proactive, flexible and positive approach to problem solving, with a willingness to learn new and often complex subject areas.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools such as Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and SharePoint.

If you’re looking for a role that offers variety, development and the chance to contribute to a growing organisational insight function, we’d love to hear from you.

In this role, you will:

• Support the planning, coordination and delivery of multiple data‑related projects from initiation through to completion.
• Develop and maintain project documentation including project plans, risk registers, progress reports and document repositories.
• Ensure appropriate project governance is in place, supporting compliance with project management guidelines and templates.
• Provide updates, reports and analysis for project boards, senior managers and key stakeholders.
• Help identify, escalate and track risks, issues and dependencies across the project portfolio.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of digital, data and technology (DDaT) strategies across the council.
• Undertake research, analysis, options appraisals and evaluations to support business cases and project decision‑making.
• Support change management activity and engagement with colleagues across services and directorates.
• Build strong working relationships with internal teams, partners and stakeholders to support successful delivery.
• Promote best practice in data protection, information security and organisational standards.
• Play a key role in ensuring continuous improvement, efficiency and excellent service delivery across the Insight & Intelligence Hub.

You’ll be part of a supportive team, with plenty of opportunities to grow your skills, work with modern tools, and contribute to a developing organisational insight capability.

What we offer

• 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays
• Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme, which provides a valuable guaranteed income in your retirement together with security for your dependents
• Work‑life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part‑time
• A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more
• Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle to work, eye care vouchers, travel and gym membership
• Excellent training and development opportunities
• Employee well‑being training programmes including confidential employee assistance

How to apply

Read the job description and person specification before clicking Apply to commence the online application form. If you would like any further information about the role before applying, please contact James Rapkin, Head of Organisational Insight & Intelligence, james.rapkin@barnet.gov.uk

Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures, this may include AI Detection Screening, Biometric ID/Right to Work Checks, Qualification and Registration Checks, Up to 6 years of Employment Data and Insights to Accelerate Screening (Konfir), Up to 5 years of Employment History References, DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service) Checks, Credit Checks and Social Media, Sanctions and Occupational Health Screening.

To deliver Barnet Council’s commitment to equality of opportunity in the provision of services, all staff are expected to promote equality in the workplace and in the services the Council delivers. As such we value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working (including part‑time, compressed hours, and hybrid working) and is committed to offering employees a healthy work‑life balance. Candidates are encouraged to talk about relevant requirements and preferences at interview. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but we do promise not to judge you for asking. Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We welcome and encourage job applications of all abilities. If you require any reasonable adjustments in the application or interview, please contact the lead contact on this advert. We will make reasonable adjustments to make sure our disabled applicants and those with health conditions are supported throughout our recruitment process.

We support the access to work scheme, further details are available at www.gov.uk/access-to-work/apply

All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed. Due to the high number of applications that are received for some posts we may close vacancies before the stated closing date if sufficient number of applications are received. Therefore, please apply as soon as possible. Please ensure you regularly check the email account (including JUNK MAIL folders) that you use to submit your application, as any further communication regarding your application will be sent electronically. Should you not hear from us within four working weeks of the closing date for this post, then regretfully in this instance, you have not been shortlisted.